The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is holding a public hearing on Feb. 3, 6 to 9 p.m. at Coco's Restaurant, Groton, regarding proposed construction by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. near Groton.

PUC Chairman Gary Hanson said, "Basin Electric has submitted an application for a permit to construct a new 100 MW simple cycle gas turbine in Brown County, approximately five miles south of Groton. This hearing allows area residents to give us their opinions prior to any action on Basin's application."

The turbine will be fired with natural gas supplied by Northern Border Pipeline's existing 42" diameter interstate transmission line located in Spink County. The proposed project location requires installation of approximately 12 miles of pipeline to interconnect the gas turbine site with the major pipeline.

"Basin Electric's plans indicate that the construction phase of the project will take 12 to 15 months, and an estimated 30 to 40 construction workers will be on site during this time," PUC Vice Chairman Bob Sahr said. "It is important that the public is given ample opportunity to learn about the project by attending the Groton hearing."

"We encourage area individuals and landowners to provide input to us on this project before the Commission makes a ruling on the application," Commissioner Dusty Johnson added. "We believe it's important that those in the area are invited to relay their comments, given a project of this scope."

A copy of the application is on file with both the Brown County Auditor and the Spink County Auditor, as required by state law.

The Commission invites local government agencies, commercial or consumer special interest groups, as well as interested individuals to send written comments before Feb. 21. Send them to South Dakota PUC, 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501 or to puc@state.sd.us.